SOME months ago my partner, Dave Gough of Poolbrook, thanked me through the Gazette for being his "rock" following the loss of his dear mother, Joyce. Unexpectedly, I now find myself in the same position, having lost by own much-loved mum, Con, on the April 10 at Birmingham Heartlands Hospital.

Despite the distance between us, Dave has been my "rock", supporting me since my mum was admitted to hospital at the beginning of the year. It is appropriate that I acknowledge Dave's support in the Gazette as this is the paper he bought, religiously, every single week for my mum.

My mum loved Malvern, having had many holidays out at West Malvern with her own parents and then subsequently when she had a family of her own.

In later years, mum, dad and I enjoyed many lovely days out in Malvern, stopping off for lunch at The Robin Hood, Castlemorton, before taking a leisurely drive around the hills over to West Malvern on our old stomping ground, reminiscing about the glorious smell of the old bakery and those nights in the Brewer's Arms with a snowball!

Like Dave's mum, my mum also loved to read the Gazette and I would like to thank the paper and Dave for keeping her up-to-date with everyday life in Malvern in-between our lovely days out to her most favourite destination.

Vanda Piasecki, Oberon Drive, Shirley, Solihull.